Janet Betty McAffee

After a last visit with her daughters gained through marriage to her dear husband Calvin, a snuggle with her dog, Cody, and farewell messages that came by phone and were kindly relayed through niece Diana at her bedside, Janet McAffee passed away on the night of Monday, September 23 in St George, Utah. Jan always felt her nieces Diana Piini, Charli Fraughton and Cathy Dragoo were more like treasured little sisters. After Calvin’s death, Jan appreciated sharing a home with her sister Margaret for some time. Deep gratitude is sent to the family of Cal (Christy McAffee, Peggy & Jeff Routledge, Bonnie Prosser & Robin Knuckles, and Dan McAffee) whose embrace of "Mama Jan" brought great happiness to her life, as well as much needed live-in assistance during Jan and Cal’s later years. Jan asked Diana to care for her in her last years. The extended family thanks Diana for her many efforts in Jan’s behalf, which along with Charli's support, and weekly help from Dorothy James and Rusty James, allowed Jan to live independently in her condo. A huge thank you to Don Sturges who worked tirelessly to renovate it under Diana's direction. Jan treasured her time being there.

Janet Betty Watson was born, 18 July 1945 in Los Angeles, California, welcomed by parents Henrietta Howard Hunter and James Watson, and sisters Margaret Folston and Mary Etta Parkinson. She was a happy child who enjoyed making friends and playing with dolls. At a very young age she was stricken with encephalitis which impacted her right hand and leg. Even so, in nearly every spare moment she had, teenage Jan could be found dancing in her bedroom using her doorknob as a partner while the phonograph blared the latest hits. Aunt Jan continued to dance every chance she got and led line dancing lessons at family reunions. Jan relished being an auntie to numerous nieces and nephews and treasured the next generation as they came along. She was a fun and loving aunt, always overflowing with an inner goodness. Jan had a wonderful ability to love and express her love. Jan cherished having many girlfriends through the years and loving thoughts are sent to Jan's best friend Cheryl Lay, who made a difference right up to the end. Jan loved cozy chats, going out for lunch or a giant Sprite, adopting pet dogs, rearranging the furniture, and especially, her life with Calvin (“Oh, baby!”). She greeted friends and family with a big smile and a happy squeeze, with a "comin-at-ya bug" for kids. Jan had a tremendous love for children and was a favorite caregiver of children for many years at the El Toro Marine Base Daycare Center when she lived with her sister Margaret's family in her younger years. She knew years of sadness from health concerns and romances that turned cruel. Those wounds were healed through the love she found with Calvin McAffee. They met as dance partners and the relationship grew into marriage and a loving life partnership. For 29 years they were never far apart and shared a happy relationship of mutual trust and respect. Everyone knows that Jan and Cal are dancing in the stars now. 

Friends and family are invited to attend the viewing on October 7 at 11 a.m. and funeral services at noon at the St George 2nd Ward meetinghouse located at 166 S Main St., St. George. You might also want to celebrate her life by dancing, squeezing someone you love, smiling at a child or adopting a dog.